I am having some training issues with my almost three year old boxer, Wizard. Let me start by saying that we have been through basic obedience with him this past spring and he knows his commands very well. I have practiced inside, outside, in my yard, out on walks ect. The trouble I am having is that he was a shelter dog and was very poorly socialized to other dogs and we think that he was most likely crated for very long periods of time most of his life until he came to us a year ago. When we take him out of our home for car rides or walks ect. he turns into a basket case if he sees other dogs even when he is in the car and they are in someone's yard. He will whine and cry out at them and act like a complete maniac. He is a dominant dog and will pick fights with others, although he is neutered. Training class was helpful because we were able to have him near other dogs and when he got used to seeing the SAME dogs on a regular basis, he became a little calmer around THEM,enough that he would work for me in class. Now, however we are no longer in classes until after Christmas and he is extremely hard to engage when working with him on his commands if there are other animals in the vicinity especially ones he has not met with. I had hoped someday to compete in obedience, but now I don't know because we will always have to encounter strange dogs. I have tried the yummiest treats in the world to get his attention( I even cooked liver which I hate), I have tried his toys, I have tried praise. It's like I dont even exist when there is another dog around. I tried working on desensitizing him by keeping him a distance away and working to get his attention on me so that I could reward him with the hopes of eventually being able to move closer, but he will not take treats from me and I cannot engage him no matter how far away I start out. If another dog is in sight range it is no use. Any ideas on helping me get his attention and keep it? Would it be helpful to consult a behaviorist? Am I expecting to much of him? Thank you in advance for your responses.
Keeping his attention with distractions
- Thread starter Roj's_mom
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BeckyNC
Boxer Insane
My girl acts similarly. In the car she's fine, but if we see another dog on a walk she lunges and cries as if she is desperate to meet the dog. I was discussing this with my behaviorist just the other day. She explained that, in general, Boxers are very social dogs and some "must" meet other dogs when out on a walk. She has three Labs and says they can be similar in nature. The key for you might be to get your boy's attention before he sees the other dog. If you can do that and offer a high value treat, he will eventually look to you, expecting a treat, instead of getting excited about the other dog. I met another BW member recently who told me she does this with her boy and it has really worked. I plan to start doing so soon. I think it is necessary to do this for a very long time to get the dog to permanently comply.
You said you have tried treats with no luck at getting Roj's attention. While I do think the trick is to get his attention with treats before he sees the other dog (and continue walking past the other dog, providing treats the whole time), have you tried something like hot dog pieces? I have used low sodium, low fat hot dog before when training Tae. She loves it.
One other thing that was discussed in a post a week or two ago was to turn around and go home when the dog starts going nuts.
You said you have tried treats with no luck at getting Roj's attention. While I do think the trick is to get his attention with treats before he sees the other dog (and continue walking past the other dog, providing treats the whole time), have you tried something like hot dog pieces? I have used low sodium, low fat hot dog before when training Tae. She loves it.
One other thing that was discussed in a post a week or two ago was to turn around and go home when the dog starts going nuts.
basak
Boxer Insane
I have just the opposite problem:(
Krose gets shocked! Not one muscle moves on his body. He just stares and stares and until the other dog gets close enough, he goes nuts!!! Starts boxing and the other dog gets scared.
We are better now though. When he gets like that, I say in a firm voice, a voice that I use when I don't want him to do somethign and he knows that voice so well because I used it during his obedience training at home. If he doesn't greet me clamly rather than jumping on me, I say ''calm down'' in a firm voice, meaning if he doesn't, I will pay no attention to him.
He greets me with kidney beans and he walks fast around the house, but he doesn't jump
So, walking, seeing another dog, Krose just gets paralyzed and I say in a firm voice ''continue walking'' and I must admit I may have to say it 2 or 3 times sometimes but it works. If he doesn't walk, he knows he maynot be able to meet the dog
This is something I came up with, may not work with others . Good luck!
basak
Krose gets shocked! Not one muscle moves on his body. He just stares and stares and until the other dog gets close enough, he goes nuts!!! Starts boxing and the other dog gets scared.
We are better now though. When he gets like that, I say in a firm voice, a voice that I use when I don't want him to do somethign and he knows that voice so well because I used it during his obedience training at home. If he doesn't greet me clamly rather than jumping on me, I say ''calm down'' in a firm voice, meaning if he doesn't, I will pay no attention to him.
He greets me with kidney beans and he walks fast around the house, but he doesn't jump
So, walking, seeing another dog, Krose just gets paralyzed and I say in a firm voice ''continue walking'' and I must admit I may have to say it 2 or 3 times sometimes but it works. If he doesn't walk, he knows he maynot be able to meet the dog
This is something I came up with, may not work with others . Good luck!
basak
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